I was invited to a tea party. I didn't think anyone from any noble families would invite me to events yet there it was, sparkling in front of me. The only daughter of Duke Lazlo, Lady Delphinia Mona Lazlo.
Lady Delphinia is known all throughout the kingdom for her beauty and grace. She is the perfect example of a noble lady, and as the only child of Duke Lazlo she is the heiress to the family. Getting on her good side would be very beneficial to me.
It's important to have a good first impression. As such I made sure that the maids made me look respectable and like someone approachable. Since it was a tea party I went for an elegant casual look. There were several other young women from noble families there as well. They seemed used to events like these, I on the other hand was star struck and looked like a lost puppy.
"Your majesty." Lady Delphinia bowed.
"Lady Delphinia, I appreciate you for inviting me to this event." I said.
"Not at all," she said. " It was only a matter of time before we got acquainted with each other."
She looked around before leading me away from the group.
"My lady." She began.
"Oh, Salaeli is fine. No need to be formal." I interrupted.
"Then the same goes for me, just call me Delphinia." She started, " Salaeli, might I ask you a sensitive question?"
"You can. But I don't know if I can answer it." I said.
"Well, I was wondering what made you go to the royal family. Especially the timing. Why now?" She asked.
This was a question I wasn't supposed to answer. To be honest even I didn't know the answer to her question. But for some reason I felt I could be honest with her. So I was, for the most part.
"I myself don't know. I didn't come here by choice, I was brought here. And then this life was pushed onto me. I've only been here for about a year but it feels like I've lived this life since I was born."
"I see." She looked disappointed with my answer but quickly changed expressions and asked a second question. "So what's it like then? And what about your parents?"
"It's tiring. Plus it feels like there are things I'm not aware of happening all around me." I replied.
"Things happening?" She looked confused.
My plan worked. She had forgotten about her question about my parents. That's a subject I was told not to mention. They strongly stressed it.
"I don't know, sometimes it feels like everyone there knows something I don't." I said.
"Honestly, it's like that here too." She said quietly.
I have sharp hearing so I caught what she said and proceeded to ask her about it.
"You mean there is something you don't know about happening in your home?"
"Uh, yeah." She said vaguely.
"Have you tried asking about it? I heard that your parents adore you." I said.
"I have. Sadly, I was never given any good answers." She said, " I know it has to do with my past though."
"Your past?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm not blood related to the Duke or the Duchess. I was adopted into the family. The duchess is infertile yet they badly wanted a child. They found me at the church as a baby." She sighed, " this is a secret by the way. They don't even know that I know."
"You and I seem to be very similar Delphinia. I have a feeling we will get along great."
"I had the same feeling." She smiled tenderly.